China Criticizes Tariff Hike Against Brazil, Accuses US of Intimidation

China Criticizes U.S. Tariff Hike on Brazilian Goods, Citing UN Charter Principles and Harmful Protectionism

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized on Friday, August 11, the 50% import tariff on Brazilian products announced earlier in the week by U.S. President Donald Trump. Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, speaking at a press conference in Beijing, stated that sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs are crucial principles of the UN Charter and fundamental norms in international relations. She emphasized China’s consistent and clear position on tariffs, affirming, “There are no winners in a commercial or tariff war. Protectionism harms everyone’s interests.” This criticism followed an earlier statement from Mao Ning during the week, when President Trump began sending letters to trade partners threatening tariff increases. President Trump officially sent a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Wednesday, August 9, announcing the imposition of a 50% tariff on all Brazilian exports to the United States, effective August 1. In the document, Trump justified the measure by citing Brazil’s handling of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who faces charges in the Federal Supreme Court (STF) for an attempted coup d’état, and supposed censorship against American platforms.

U.S. Tariffs on Brazilian Goods Sparks WTO Complaint and Counter-measures under Reciprocity Law

On the same day, President Lula defended Brazil’s sovereignty and stated that any unilateral tariff elevation would be met with action under the Economic Reciprocity Law. The following day, Thursday, August 10, Lula announced that the federal government would file an official complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to challenge the tariffs. Experts interviewed by Agency Brazil characterized Trump’s pressure as “political blackmail” and suggested the measure is a response to the BRICS bloc. During the BRICS Summit held the previous Sunday and Monday in Rio de Janeiro, Trump had already threatened to impose a 10% tariff on countries aligning with BRICS. Lula’s team is reportedly considering steps under Brazil’s Reciprocity Law as potential counter-measures to the tariffs. These steps could include temporarily suspending patent rights for medicines and seeds, halting royalty payments, or taxing American earnings.

In Case You Missed It

This week, Bruno Pferd invites us to dive into our gaming weekends with a thoughtful and engaging post on Eurogamer Portugal, published on July 12, 2025. “Que jouerez-vous ce week-end?” encourages everyone to share their gaming plans and experiences within the vibrant community. Whether you’re planning an epic RPG adventure or a relaxed session of casual games, there’s something for everyone in this lively discussion. Join the conversation at Que jouerez-vous ce week-end ? and create some unforgettable gaming memories! For those interested in the ongoing saga surrounding Subnautica 2 and the complex relationship between its publisher, Krafton, and former developers from Unknown Worlds, check out Sophie Laurent’s latest piece published on July 11th. The article delves into Krafton’s response to legal threats made by Charlie Cleveland, one of the founders, highlighting the company’s stance on delays in the game’s release and the alleged shift in responsibilities. Dive deeper into this intriguing dispute at Krafton Fires Back at Former Subnautica 2 Developers Threatening Legal Action. This coming weekend is shaping up to be a fantastic time for gaming enthusiasts, and if you’re looking for inspiration on how to spend those precious hours, I highly recommend checking out Bruno Pferd’s latest piece titled “What will you play this weekend?” published on July 12, 2025. In his engaging article, Bruno encourages the Eurogamer Portugal community to dive into RPGs, explore open-world games, and connect with friends through multiplayer sessions, all while creating unforgettable gaming memories. Whether you’re planning an epic adventure or a more relaxed session, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant community of gamers. Join in on the fun by sharing your own gaming plans at What will you play this weekend?!